22 Essential Kaytranada Remixes

The internet’s music cup continues to runneth over as more and more new releases are crammed into New Music Fridays. Two weeks ago, there were no fewer than eight new projects to comb through, from the cerebral to the groovy. But the one that continues to yank me back with a kaleidoscopic choke chain is Kaytranada’s debut studio project 99.9%. The morning the album came out, I decided to test it on Spotify; halfway through “Track Uno” I was hooked. Once the Craig David-assisted “Got It Good” (reconstructed from one of Kaytra’s best beats from Instrumental Hip-Hop Is Dead) finished, I bought the album right then and there while everyone on the train wondered why I was bouncing around so much.

The Haitian-Canadian producer has been working toward this album since he and his brother formed Kaytradamus back in 2010. Incessant touring kept Kaytra’s album ambitions – and much of his personal life – on the back burner for quite some time, but the solo success he’s found with those trademark customized synths had to start somewhere. He culled a devoted following on Soundcloud and Youtube as a DJ/remixer as early as 2012, which led to his signing with XL Recordings shortly after and the anticipation for a proper album continuing to grow. It’s safe to say with features from Vic Mensa, Phonte, GoldLink, Syd of The Internet, and BadBadNotGood, his intoxicating grooves didn’t go unnoticed.

Since we’ve all been enjoying 99.9% so much (anyone who hasn’t felt like the robot in the “Lite Spots” video is lying to themselves), we gathered 20 of his best remixes so you can get familiar with Kaytra’s bop.

JMSN’s music sits firmly in the gray area between Kaytranada and the muted electronic soul of James Blake, but the layered vocals and pounding drums make this remix one of the most dance floor-ready songs on the entire list.

17. Chance The Rapper – “All Night”

This one is technically just a longer version of a song Kaytra already produced, but it’s too epic not to include here.

BadBadNotGood started off with jazz renditions of their favorite hip-hop songs, so it’s only fitting that one of their cuts gets a groovy redo. The organs and live drums are softened while a new bass line stitches the groove together.

Calling two of the titans of 90s rap pushed through a decidedly modern dance filter a pleasant surprise is an understatement. The quiet fast-paced beat from the original is slowed to a groovier tempo with some gorgeous vocal samples adding pomp and flavor.

6. k-os – “Crucial”

A sweet and groovy update to a song that was already affirming and thumping on its own.

Glasper’s original somber collaboration with KING from Black Radio gets a thumping low end and reworked vocals strong enough for you to bust out the roller skates.

4. Solange – “Cranes In The Sky”

During a stop at Terminal 5 in October, Kaytra showed his love for Solange Knowles’ newly dropped album A Seat At The Table by sharing a DJ edit of single “Cranes In The Sky.” What a jam this turned out to be.